Fire & Axe: A Viking Saga

Fire & Axe: A Viking Saga is a reprint of the original Viking Fury game. While the game itself is a ton of fun, with a lot of strategy and interesting decisions to make, there's a big elephant in the room: the broken ships. This seems to be a common problem among buyers. It's a shame because the game is beautifully made; the map, figures, and cards are all top notch.

I was lucky enough to get a copy with only one ship that arrived with a broken mast, but reading other reviews makes me realize I'm one of the lucky ones! Some reviewers received games with as many as four out of five ships with broken sails. It seems like the packaging may be a bit too small for the ships, causing them to get damaged in transit. This is a major bummer, especially considering the price point of the game.

Despite this, I still enjoyed the game a lot. The gameplay is engaging, with multiple scoring levels and types that reward various strategies. The rules are well-written, and the theme is well-executed. It's a great game for those who enjoy Viking-themed games or strategy games in general. I even found myself glued to the game for hours, and I'm sure I'll be playing it again soon.

Overall, I would recommend Fire & Axe: A Viking Saga, but with a caveat. If you're willing to take the risk of receiving a broken ship or two (or more), it's a great game. But if you're a collector who values pristine components, you may want to hold off until this issue is addressed by the publisher.